No trip to Disneyland Resort is complete without trying all of its tasty treats and iconic foods. When you have food allergies or dining restrictions, we understand that this can sometimes leave you with a case of FOMO, as accommodations can be scarce. Luckily, Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park offer a ton of gluten-free options! You can enjoy some favorite snacks, while others will come with slight modifications. Let’s hop to it and find out the ribbeting details on how to eat gluten-free at Disneyland Resort.
Don't froget to ask a cast member about ingredients before ordering, as things do change all the time. The Disneyland chefs are always hoppy to talk to guests about allergies and intolerances. Let the host or server know your dining limitations when you check in and sit down. They can send a chef to your table. When mobile ordering, scroll down to the Gluten/Wheat Allergy-Friendly tab and order from there. You can also order in person to modify food items and make them gluten-free.
Our Toadally Tasty Guide to Dining Gluten-Free at Disneyland Resort
We are hoppy to say that Disneyland adds more gluten-friendly and gluten-free items all the time. Some of the newest items are the cheese and pepperoni Flop-Overs at Café Daisy in the reimagined Toontown!
Here’s a look at some of the yummy gluten-free choices, along with some tips for eating gluten-free at Disneyland. Keep in mind that it might take longer than usual for the restaurant to prepare your food when you order gluten-free. The cooks may prepare a gluten-free food item or meal in a separate area, change gloves before preparing it, use a different oil to fry it (if necessary) and take the measures necessary to prevent cross-contamination. Packaged baked goods may need to be thawed or heated. Know that the extra time is to keep your food safe from unwanted ingredients ... a labor of love!
Some foods are considered gluten-friendly, meaning they are not made with any gluten, but these foods could have some cross-contamination. If you are very sensitive, then avoid these foods. If you avoid gluten for reasons outside of a medical condition or allergy, then these particular choices may work for you.
An item that is labeled “gluten-free” has been made without gluten and measures have been taken to prevent any cross-contamination. For example, the delicious Disneyland macarons or gluten-friendly IncrediCookie may be naturally gluten-free, but they are not labeled or promoted as “gluten-free.” The macarons are sitting near other baked goods, making cross-contamination possible... so approach with caution. The true gluten-free baked cookies and muffins are made off-site and packaged in a sealed bag. (We thought they were pretty tasty!)
Gluten-Free Breakfast Options at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Parks
I don't know about you, but I am a firm believer that breakfast is the most important (and often the most delicious) meal of the day, especially when you'll be hoppin' around the theme parks. At Disneyland, get your gluten-free Mickeywaffles, potatoes, eggs, omelets, fruit, sausage and bacon at Carnation Café or Plaza Inn. You can also request gluten-free pancakes (at Carnation Café) or get the breakfast skillet.
Plaza Inn has a character dining breakfast buffet. Let them know you are gluten-free when you check in. Also, tell the person who brings you to your table. They'll send the chef out to talk to you, so you can discuss what is safe at the buffet. You can specifically request the gluten-free Mickey waffles from the chef. The Mickey waffles are dense and chewy, not at all crumbly and dry. We give them two gloves up! Our chef brought us a plate with gluten-free Mickey Waffles, scrambled egg, roasted potatoes (instead of the fried potatoes) and bacon or sausage. We also enjoyed fruit, the omelet station, yogurt and more. Options vary slightly at each of the character dining locations.
In terms of quick-service breakfast choices, you can get eggs, bacon or sausage and a Cuties mandarin or the delicious Little Town Harvest Bowl at Red Rose Taverne. The Jolly Holiday Bakery Café has a gluten-friendly blueberry muffin and Jolly Holiday Combo in the morning as well as the gluten-friendly macarons. You can always find fresh fruits and even yogurt in the parks.
At Disney California Adventure Park, fuel up at Pym Test Kitchen in Avengers Campus with items from the gluten/wheat allergy menu. You can order the egg dishes and substitute the bread for a gluten-free option. We love the potato bites and bacon!
Gluten-Free Quick-Service Lunch & Dinner Options at Disneyland Park
Even on a gluten-free diet, you can still enjoy sandwiches, rolls, hot dogs, pasta, pizza and even baked goods when dining at Disneyland. You may not see gluten-free items on the main menu, but you can ask about accommodations or even view the gluten-free choices for restaurants when using the Mobile Order feature on the app. Look for the "Allergy-Friendly" button and select "Gluten/Wheat Allergy-Friendly" to see a list of choices. When you arrive at other restaurants to order in person, ask if there's an allergy menu, which highlights wheat/gluten allergies to help you find the foods that best meet your needs. The park no longer hands out one guide for all gluten-free choices because the menu items and ingredients are always changing. That's hoppy news though because it seems like there are always new options!
Here are a few gluten-free suggestions at Disneyland Park:
- Alien Pizza Planet – Enjoy salads, rice pasta and gluten-friendly pizza upon request. The pizza is really tasty, but it's thin and more of a kid portion size. Pair it with Satellite Salad (not shown) to make it a filling meal. Order in person if you want a gluten-free, dairy-free pizza.
- Bengal BBQ – The sauces on the meats include gluten, but you can order the meat without sauce. The hummus is not made with gluten, but it may be cross-contaminated.
- Café Daisy – At times you can order the Flop-Overs and a side of chili cheese sauce.
- Docking Bay 7 – Get the salad. We love this option, but it can change seasonally, so confirm it's from the gluten-free menu.
- Tiana's Palace - Enjoy the allergy-friendly 7 Greens Gumbo, Gulf Shrimp and Grits, or Roasted Chicken Drumstick.
- Galactic Grill – Find gluten-free buns for sandwiches, plant-based burgers and cheeseburgers/hamburgers for adults and kids. The fries are gluten-friendly. You can enjoy chopped salad, a POWER Pack or a strawberry fruit bar.
- Harbour Galley – The fruit salad and Power Packs are gluten-free options.
- Hungry Bear – This restaurant offers gluten-free buns or lettuce wraps for cheeseburgers. The Fantasmic! dining package also comes with gluten-free choices. The fries and strawberry fruit bar are gluten-friendly as well as the chicken salad. Kids can get a hamburger or POWER Pack.
- Jolly Holiday Bakery Café – Enjoy a gluten-free version of the Jolly Holiday Combo of grilled cheese and tomato basil soup or a turkey sandwich (for adults and kids). You can enjoy a gluten-free blueberry muffin, cookie or fruit as well. You can even pair your sandwich with gluten-free bread or salad without the breadstick.
- Oga's Cantina – The menu changes constantly, so ask your server about gluten-free options.
- Plaza Inn – Request the allergy menu to see your options. You can get four gluten-free chicken legs with the chicken dinner (with a gluten-free roll and gluten-free gravy, which is darker than the one in the above photo), pot roast, penne pasta, house salad or the chipotle-pineapple glazed salmon. Look for gluten-free baked goods, as well.
- Rancho del Zocalo – This restaurant has gluten-free tacos, pollo asado and more.
- Red Rose Taverne – Try the gluten-free buns for burgers, salads or the delicious Little Town Harvest Bowl. You may have to order some items in person. This is the restaurant the specializes in allergies at Disneyland.
- Refreshment Corner – Get a hot dog and chili dogs with a gluten-free bun, blueberry muffin or chocolate chip cookie.
- Troubadour Tavern — Nothing is listed gluten-free, but you may be able to get a baked potato.
The baked goods (cookie and blueberry muffin) are officially gluten-free and come in a sealed wrapper.
Gluten-Free Quick-Service Lunch & Dinner Options at Disney California Adventure Park
- Cocina Cucamonga – This location offers a ton of great options! When mobile ordering, scroll down to the Gluten/Wheat Allergy-Friendly section. You can get tacos with corn tortillas, rice, frijoles and horchata agua fresca. But did you know you can eat the very popular QuesaBirria tacos? There's a purchase limit of two per transaction.
- Aunt Cass Café – This location has no gluten-free items listed. It is attached to a sourdough bakery, so steer clear if you have severe allergies.
- Award Wieners – Gluten-free buns are available. You just need to order in person.
- Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta – Ask about gluten-free pasta, pizza and salad. Let the chef know if you have celiac disease so they can take extra measures to avoid cross-contamination. You can also get dairy-free pizza and plant-based pasta dishes.
- Flo’s – Flo's offers gluten-free burgers, sandwiches and shakes.
- Lucky Fortune Cookery – Try teriyaki chicken or the kids chicken and rice.
- Smokejumper’s Grill – You can find gluten-free hamburgers and cheeseburgers, breakfast sandwiches, a chicken sandwich, chicken salad, fries and shakes. You may need to order in person. This is the top location for dining with allergies at Disney California Adventure.
- Pym Test Kitchen – You can get several sandwiches gluten-free. We particularly loved the Reactor Melt with potato bites.
Gluten-Free Table-Service Options at Disneyland Resort
You can always request an allergy menu at any of the table-service restaurants. Some are printed, and some may be verbal. Menu items are subject to change due to availability and season.
- Blue Bayou – Request an allergy menu, where you may find salad and entrees that can be served gluten-free.
- Carnation Cafe – You'll find several gluten-free items on the allergy menu.
- River Belle Terrace – Request the allergy menu, which may include salads and entrees.
- Café Orleans – One of the most popular dishes is the Monte Cristo Sandwich. Good news! You can get the gluten-free Monte Cristo in either the classic version (with Swiss cheese, ham and turkey) or the three cheese. However, you must get a reservation and order at least 24 hours in advance by emailing your request and dining reservation number to [email protected]. (Our gluten-free froggy friends told us it's toadally worth the effort!) Other menu items are also safe and do not require advance notice. You can order a salad, Shrimp and Grits, Bourbon Street Chicken and more.
- Wine Country Trattoria – The allergy menus feature several items for gluten/wheat allergies, including salads, gluten-free pasta substitutions and other entrees.
- Carthay Circle – This restaurant makes gluten-free meals and has been known to make gluten-free chocolate creme brûlée or sorbet for dessert. Ask your server for gluten-free options.
- Lamplight Lounge – Request an allergy menu and also talk to your server about some off-menu suggestions, as well.
- Character Dining – If you are hopping to a character dining meal, either at Plaza Inn at Disneyland Park or at a Disneyland Resort hotel, be sure to let them know when you reserve, pay and are seated that you need gluten-free options. You may be able to speak to the chef and can acquire gluten-free items not found at the buffet. When you order, let them know if you want gluten-free Mickey or Minnie waffles.
Gluten-Free Snacks and Desserts at Disneyland Resort
Now onto our favorite part: the best gluten-free Disneyland snacks and desserts!
- Popcorn
- Mickey ice cream bar on a stick
- Turkey leg
- Cotton candy
- Fruit
- Pickles
- Dole Whip (it is gluten-free but contains modified food starch, which may affect people sensitive to that ingredient)
- Pixar Pier Parfait
- Strawberry fruit bar
- Cotton candy
- Frozen banana (these are back!)
- Packaged gluten-free muffins and chocolate chip cookies (available at many restaurants)
- Churro toffee (subject to cross-contamination)
- Caramel apples (subject to cross-contamination)
- Clarabelle’s hand-dipped ice cream (specify when ordering that you require it to be gluten-free)
- The IncrediCookie gluten-friendly cookie
- Power Packs
Keep in mind that some of these items may be subject to cross-contamination. Only you know your body and its sensitivity levels best!
Tips for Eating Gluten-Free at Disneyland Resort
- Bring your own snacks (saves money and prevents cross-contamination).
- Ask for gluten-free/allergy menus at table-service restaurants and other restaurants.
- Talk to the chef if you have any questions.
- Ask for ingredient labels if you aren’t sure. The chocolate-covered banana label says dairy-free, gluten-free and kosher. But they are made in a facility that uses milk, coconut and wheat flour.
- Use Mobile Order and select from the allergy menu at the bottom. You can order in person to find out how to modify dishes and find other options to best meet your needs. This is best if you have multiple allergies.
- Pack some extra patience, as special accommodations can take longer to prepare. Baked goods may be frozen and need to be heated up.
- Double-check your order and confirm with the cast member that it’s gluten-free before digging in.
- Know the difference between gluten-free and gluten-friendly and how that may affect you.
While this is not meant to be a complete list of all the options for dining gluten-free at Disneyland, it can give you an idea of where to start. Hopfully, it makes finding gluten-free options at Disneyland a little easier for you! Keep in mind that menus and ingredients may change, so always ask questions before you order.
Do you have any favorite gluten-free foods at Disneyland or tips for eating gluten-free in the parks? Please share them in the comments below! Don't froget that you can save money on Disneyland Resort tickets when purchasing from your favorite froggy friends! Ribbit, ribbit!
Related: The Ins and Outs of Disneyland Dining Reservations
Related: Tips for Dining at Disneyland with Food Allergies
Hoppy planning!
